I believe the Yellowstone Angler gives a good perspective on the current rods and how they stack. I agree the 'gotta have it' should be left out, but overall I think they do some of the best reviews.

I believe they do hate on some companies rods, *winston*, to name one in specific and love on companies that rods are way way too expensive, I am sure everybody can figure that one out. How does a fly rod that costs 1,400 manage a 5 in cost? lol

That should be a zero outta ten, but I guess they didn't want cost to be a big factor....if that was the case why would the gotta have it be there?

I think we should do a PA Fly Fish Fly Rod Shootout.

Worst rod ever: Older 4 Piece TFO 9ft 5wts. (From about 5 years ago) I use them for beginner FF courses and they are comparable to using a log with fly line taped to it. They are so bad infact that have permanently biased me against TFOs. (I don't even know the model b/c I refuse to look at them any longer than I have too)

Best rod ever: Too many great ones for me to decide but Ill go with a Loomis GLX Streamdance.

I don't have science or tests to back that up, just my uneducated opinion.

In keeping with the "junkie" topic, anybody else find themselves consistently reassuring your better half that you absolutely need this new item. Me and my wife have a pretty open relationship with each other. She seemingly hides nothing from me and I reciprocate. Except fly fishing gear... I'm a gear addict. I never know how she'd react to new rods, reels, or anything since I have already accumulated so much. So instead of possibly starting a jihad in the homestead, I resort to some old fashion trickery. Having things shipped to my parents house or to my hotel while I'm away at work or rubbing a little dirt on something and telling her I've had that for years. I'm sure she knows my struggle with addiction because I've seen her purse and shoe collections, but I still cannot bring myself to let her know just how bad it is.

that's the family wagon(sexy, really fun to drive and the damn things gonna get me a speeding ticket), but that costs a boat load less to drive to go fish than my crew long bed powerstroke(6spd, my baby), also hauls the fam and or whatever else i throw at it, but costs twice as much to go the same place on average, maybe a bit better if i can keep my foot out of it(so hard to do, i'll admit 'im a bit of a horse power junkie as well).

as for the shoot out, lucly i have not had many that bad, but i did attempt to cast a shakespear walmart special combo once... who in their marketing dep let that out the door? absolute JUNK!

best rod...??? prob my mystic m-series 3wt.

has anyone sprawled bast just ff gear to builing gear as well? ya know a wood lathe for handle turning, loads of diy rod building goodies, and now working into bamboo lol. but at least the bamboo got partially side lined by the fishing coming back locally anyways?

A few of the reviews make the rods in question sound like crap but then they give them a 18 out of 20 rating on the scoresheet.

If they suck give them a 10 out of 20 or something. Doesn't make sense to say that a company needs to go back to the drawing board but then give them high scores.

No doubt, this is very true. On the gear junkie side of things I went years without buying another rod. Then I found Paff, four in the last year and some . Now granted really good deals on all of them so really it doesn't count as a "new rod" purchase right? Railking, I know where you're coming from.

Posted on: 2013/5/3 6:26

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There is a need to fish, to be in the water. It soothes the soul...

I dislike stuff like this. Stuff like this couldn't be a more literal 'different strokes for different folks' thing. It's also hosted by a fly shop, so I'm sure they don't have an agenda to sell the rods that have the more gross profit in them.

Also, the way he does his tied ranking system is weird.

The Hardy Artisan and Sage should be tied for 5th not 4th, the Orvis and St. Croix should be tied for 7th not 5th, etc. The ranking of the rod in last place should be equal to the number of rods in the shoot out, not just some number.

wsender wrote:I dislike stuff like this. Stuff like this couldn't be a more literal 'different strokes for different folks' thing. It's also hosted by a fly shop, so I'm sure they don't have an agenda to sell the rods that have the more gross profit in them.

YSA does sell a fair amount of the rods they review and it is my understanding that dealer mark up is generally around 100% on most premium rods. They also have an amazing shop and are pretty decent all around guys. But ya, so many things are subjective.